Telehealth Behavioral Health Clinic in Creve Coeur, MO

Telehealth works great for mental health services, as it allows patients the opportunity to receive the care they need from a familiar and trusted space where they feel comfortable and safe. In fact, many studies show that telehealth is equally effective as in-person care for treating mental health conditions.
 
Part of the reason why telehealth works so well with mental health treatment is that treatment sessions consist primarily of conversations with your psychiatrist about the symptoms you’re experiencing with minimal need for in-person treatment. Thus, telehealth is uniquely well-suited for mental health care, in many ways.
 
Another reason telehealth works well for individuals dealing with mental health struggles is because of the convenience and flexibility it allows them. For example, if you’re having a particularly difficult day and leaving the house to go to a facility with several strangers to see your psychiatrist feels overwhelming, telehealth lets you stay home and still receive the care you need.

Many different conditions can be treated via telehealth, including those affecting both your physical health and your mental health. Some physical conditions that telehealth can treat include digestive issues, infections, chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, minor injuries, and more.
 
As for mental health conditions, telehealth can provide care for any mental illness, depending on the specific reasons for the appointment. That is, while telehealth can provide routine care for any mental illness, there are some situations that still require in-person treatment so the psychiatrist can be sure you’re doing okay or if a different treatment approach is necessary.
 
Some mental health conditions that telehealth can treat include:
 
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bi-polar disorder
• Borderline personality disorders
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Depression
• Dissociative disorders
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-partum depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Substance use disorder (SUD)

Telehealth is somewhat of an umbrella term that encompasses a range of different services grounded in medicine, health care, and telecommunications technology. Often confused for telemedicine, telehealth includes both clinical and non-clinical uses of healthcare telecommunications technology. In contrast, telemedicine exclusively refers to clinical usage of telecommunications technology, such as virtual appointments with a psychiatrist or mental health professional. Still, telemedicine falls under the umbrella of telehealth.
 
With that in mind, here are four different types of telehealth:
 
• Live videoconferencing: Live videoconferencing is the most common type of telehealth, where you have a live, two-way, and video-based conference, or appointment, with your healthcare provider.

• Store-and-forward: This type of telemedicine is a method that healthcare providers use to store patients’ medical information and share it with other healthcare specialists for quick and efficient patient care. The information shared may include lab reports, imaging studies, and other records.

• Remote patient monitoring (RPM): RPM allows healthcare providers to monitor patient vital signs and activities at a distance. Healthcare providers typically use RPM with patients who are considered at high risk of an adverse or life-threatening event. RPM is also helpful for monitoring the treatment of various chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart conditions, and others.

• Mobile health: Mobile health is an example of a non-clinical usage of telehealth, as such it would not fall under the telemedicine branch of telehealth. Examples of mobile health include health-based software apps that can do anything from encouraging a healthier lifestyle to monitoring things like blood sugar levels.

Any condition or injury that requires physical treatment cannot be treated via telehealth. This can include conditions causing extreme pain or those that require a thorough in-person examination. While telehealth can treat most mental health concerns, it is not sufficient for treating psychiatric emergencies where the individual may become a danger to themselves or others or are experiencing an acute mental crisis or psychosis. Thus, if you or someone you care for are feeling suicidal or experiencing a psychotic episode, you should visit a psychiatrist for proper, in-person care.
 
Telehealth is a great resource for individuals seeking behavioral or mental health care services. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 12401 Olive Boulevard, Suite 206, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. We serve patients from Creve Coeur MO, Overland MO, Bridgeton MO, Clayton MO, Kirkwood MO, Chesterfield MO, Clarkson Valley MO and surrounding areas.